The Meath - Dublin four game saga in 1991 gripped the nation and further afield and will be remembered for some of the best games of football ever witnessed at Croke Park.

The teams met for the third time this day 30 years ago. 

Royal County Meath Yearbook summed up another memorable occasion.

The media swung behind both teams, with the predictable begrudging exceptions. The overall opinion was backed by the scoreboard, there was literally nothing between the teams, and neither deserved to lose. One national newspaper stated “it really would have been an injustice had either team lost to a late point.” This was an ironic prophecy made after the second episode.

The attendance for the 3rd game, a fortnight later, was 63,730, yet another record. Gerry McEntee, who had watched the first two games from the Hogan Stand, was listed among the substitutes. Tommy Dowd lost his place and Colm Coyle commenced a championship game for the first time this year. Dublin led by 0-5 to 0-4 at half time and with 15 minutes remaining they had stretched the lead to five points, 0-10 to 0-5. Early in the first half they had introduced Gerry Hargan for Ciaran Walsh and it looked as if their mentors had, at last, got it right.

With Meath midfield struggling, Sean Boylan introduced McEntee to the fray, and the familiar comeback began. With five minutes remaining and the deficit still five points, Colm Coyle centred from under the Cusack Stand and Bernard Flynn rose highest to fist to the net. The revival was on…again. Stafford pointed from play and then in injury time he slotted over the equaliser from a free. The final whistle went Meath 1-7 Dublin 0-10.

Aching limbs and weary bones. Another period of extra time. A first minute goal from Colm Coyle should have provided Meath with a winning platform but minutes later Paul Clarke had the ball in the Meath net. Points were swapped and the scores were level at the break 2-9 to 1-12. 

Four points were shared in the second period of extra time and when the final whistle was blown the sides were still level. Paul Clarke had missed a match winning opportunity, but a minute earlier David Beggy appeared to have been fouled as he advanced towards goal.

For a change it was Dublin who got the late equaliser on this occasion, a great point from Paul Curran. More disbelief. More fixture congestion. More crowds and for the gallant players and teams, more football. The prospect was not that welcome. There were those who posed the question - does the All Ireland really matter any more?

The final score was Meath 2-11 Dublin 1-14

Meath: Michael McQuillan, Robbie O’Malley, Mick Lyons, Terry Ferguson, Kevin Foley, Liam Harnan, Colm Coyle 1-0, Liam Hayes, Martin O’Connell, David Beggy, Colm O’Rourke, PJ Gillic, Sean Kelly, Brian Stafford 0-10, Bernard Flynn 1-1. Subs: Tommy Dowd for Gillic, Gerry McEntee for Kelly. In extra time Gillic for Hayes, Brendan Reilly for Foley, Sean Kelly for Dowd.

Dublin: John O’Leary, Mick Keegan, Ciaran Walsh, Mick Kennedy, Tommy Carr, Keith Barr, Eamon Heery, Dave Foran, Paul Bealin 0-1, Paul Clarke 1-1, Jack Sheedy 0-2, Niall Guiden 0-3, Dave Sheehan 0-1, Vinny Murphy, Barney Rock 0-3. Subs: Gerry Hargan for Walsh, Joe McNally 0-2 for Murphy, Paul Curran 0-1 for Galvin. In extra time Ray Holland for Kennedy, Charlie Redmond for Foran, Murphy for Redmond, Guiden for Carr, Kennedy for Barr

The third game was generally acclaimed to have been the best of the three, with some passages of sparkling football and several outstanding individual performances.

The fourth game was fixed for Saturday July 6th with live coverage on RTE.

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